Chicago Cubs: Steve Bartman gets 2016 World Series ring

Fourteen years after that infamous day in 2003, Chicago Cubs’ legend Steve Bartman receives a World Series ring

Mention the name Steve Bartman in a crowd of Chicago Cubs fans before the 2016 season and you would likely hear some harsh words. Now, after the Cubs’ World Series victory last November, Bartman has been let off the hook.

Bartman, who famously reached for a foul ball over Moises Alou in Game 6 of the 2003 NLCS, has received an official World Series ring.

The news was released by WGN News on Monday, and stated that Bartman received his ring “before noon Monday in Ricketts’ office”. Present, along with Bartman and Ricketts, were Theo Epstein and Crane Kenney.

Bartman has lived in the shadows since 2003 and has made an effort to keep to himself. For that reason, no pictures or videos were allowed during the presentation of the ring.

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Statement from the Cubs

The following is the official statement as it was communicated from the Cubs to WGN News.

"“On behalf of the entire Chicago Cubs organization, we are honored to present a 2016 World Series Championship Ring to Mr. Steve Bartman. We hope this provides closure on an unfortunate chapter of the story that has perpetuated throughout our quest to win a long-awaited World Series. While no gesture can fully lift the public burden he has endured for more than a decade, we felt it was important Steve knows he has been and continues to be fully embraced by this organization. After all he has sacrificed, we are proud to recognize Steve Bartman with this gift today.”"

Statement from Bartman

In response to receiving his ring, Bartman had this to say:

"“Although I do not consider myself worthy of such an honor, I am deeply moved and sincerely grateful to receive an official Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series Championship ring. I am fully aware of the historical significance and appreciate the symbolism the ring represents on multiple levels. My family and I will cherish it for generations. Most meaningful is the genuine outreach from the Ricketts family, on behalf of the Cubs organization and fans, signifying to me that I am welcomed back into the Cubs family and have their support going forward. I am relieved and hopeful that the saga of the 2003 foul ball incident surrounding my family and me is finally over…”"

View the full statement here.

It’s time to move on

With the 108 years of suffering over, many Cubs fans have dropped their bad feelings for Bartman, and rightfully so. It’s impossible to know if Bartman aided in the collapse of the Cubs in the 2003 NLCS. For that reason, many Cubs fans had already forgiven Bartman even before the 2016 season.

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With the Cubs giving Bartman a ring, they showed to the city of Chicago that Bartman’s
sins” 14 years ago were formally forgiven. Now, with a World Series ring in hand, Bartman can step out of the shadows and continue to root for his Cubbies with the rest of the Wrigley faithful.

Oh and by the way, the ring is beautiful!

Congratulations Mr. Bartman.